Capturing the natural beauty of pets, wild animals

Sunday

Oct 27, 2013 at 12:01 AMNov 4, 2013 at 11:31 AM

Artist Gina Croce loves to capture the natural beauty of cherished pets and wild animals, in imaginative paintings that often evoke pleasant memories and always remind people of the importance these creatures play in our lives.

Artist Gina Croce loves to capture the natural beauty of cherished pets and wild animals, in imaginative paintings that often evoke pleasant memories and always remind people of the importance these creatures play in our lives.

Croce, who has exhibited her vibrant watercolors and acrylics in galleries throughout the SouthCoast for more than two decades, credits a horse named Flip as her inspiration to start drawing when she was a curious six-year-old.

"As a child, I was always in love with horses," she tells. "I was obsessed with drawing them and that developed my talent for drawing."

The award-winning painter recalls riding Flip in a few equestrian competitions, where she won several trophies, but says her passion eventually changed from the paddock to the palette.

"I love to paint, especially portraits of pets and people," Croce says, noting that she has painted dogs, cats, parakeets, exotic animals, raccoons, dolphins, and several species of waterfowl.

The walls of Croce's Hummingbird Studio are filled with colorful canine portraits, florals and local landscapes that illustrate the artist's vast interests and strong command of all subject matter.

The longtime dog owner, whose current canine charges are Mulligan, a handsome golden retriever, and Opie, a precocious chocolate-colored Labrador retriever, develops a strong connection with her subject as she paints and captures the animal's personality and individual characteristics.

"Animals are as individual as people," she adds. "Each has its own unique expression."

Croce, who paints from photographs, likes to meet her animal subjects when possible to gain added insight and complete a few quick sketches. Other folks commission the artist to paint portraits of deceased pets who offered unconditional love and companionship for many years.

"Many people request paintings of deceased pets to keep the animal's presence alive and to remember all the good times they shared," Croce says, adding that one client had an office mural painted depicting a menagerie of treasured deceased pets all crossing the Rainbow Bridge.

"It's not only their pet; it's also a family member," the artist adds.

Croce says capturing a pet's true essence is both rewarding and challenging. Every breed, whether it's a pug or a Gordon setter has unique markings. A Keeshond, for example, has markings around the eyes that resemble eyeglasses, while a pug's mask should always be a rich, dark black color.

The portraitist, who has painted countless golden retrievers, emphasizes that when illustrating the popular sporting breed, it's important to portray the breed's gentle demeanor and soft coat. She delicately paints each tuft of fur, making sure to highlight variations in color and length, and other unique characteristics, such as eye expression and posture.

"My portraits are one-of-a kind, " Croce explains, adding that when she's commissioned to paint a golden retriever, she creates an image of a specific animal, not a generic example of the breed.

"Pets have their quirks," Croce observes, noting that she enjoys painting a dog or cat with a favorite toy, or sleeping in a certain position in a special spot.

"It makes for a very personalized portrait of a favorite fur baby," she quips.

Although much of her commissioned work includes companion animals, Croce also enjoys creating colorful images of wild animals in their natural habitat. Croce's unique approach to carefully depicting both flora and fauna in fine detail has won the artist legions of fans and collectors who praise her work.

"You name it and I've probably drawn it," she concludes, rattling off a Noah's Ark-like list of creatures that includes monkeys, penguins, tropical fish, wolves, foxes and more.

For more information or to view examples of Croce's work online, visit Hummingbird Studio on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hummingbird-Studio/306161326076287; or e-mail: ginartist@yahoo.com.